The Chicago Sky's first season
in the WNBA was not an easy one. The expansion team finished last in the league
with a 5-29 record, but with their rookie All-Star Candice Dupree, the team shows
promise for the future.

Dupree

Dupree entered the league by way of Temple University as the Chicago Sky's very
first draft pick (sixth pick overall), and what a pick it was. As a rookie, she
started 31 games and saw action in all 34. Averaging 13.7 points per game, she
was the leading scorer for the Sky. She also led the team in blocks and minutes
per game. The rookie proved to be the complete package as she both lit up the
scoreboard and hustled on defense. Her combination of youth and talent allows
the fledgling team to develop around her style of play.

A pleasant surprise
for Chicago was center Bernadette Ngoyisa, who was acquired from San Antonio in
the expansion draft held in the fall of 2005. Her scoring average improved from
4.3 ppg in San Antonio to 10.1 ppg this past season in Chicago. Ngoyisa finished
third in the league in field goal percentage, shooting an impressive 52.8% from
the field. The Windy City has clearly blown Bernadette's shots in the right direction,
but that also raises a big question. She suffered an injury while playing overseas
and her 2007 status is unknown.

What
Went Wrong?

Finishing last in field goal, 3-point and free
throw percentage contributed mightily to the Sky's 5-29 record. If the team wants
to even approach the double-digit win mark, they will need to improve upon their
meager 68.3 ppg. Near the bottom of the league in assists, it would be a good
time to get into the spirit of sharing.

Defensively, the team was not much
better, ranking last in opponents' field goal percentage and opponents' 3-point
percentage. Additionally, they allowed an average of 79.0 ppg, which ranked as
the third worst in the league.

The primary reason for the team's struggles
was the lack of strong leadership. Brooke Wyckoff, a contributor with the Sun
before being nabbed in the expansion draft, was among the small group of veterans
on the team. Yet she missed over half the team's games due to a hand injury. To
make matters worse, despite having the worst record in the league, the team did
not win the Draft Lottery and only has the third pick in the draft. Yet with so
many pressing needs, the Sky will benefit from whatever choice they make, whether
it is a point guard, a shooter or a big body in the post.

As
the summer of 2006 was the Chicago Sky's inaugural season, the players had never
played together as a team and the coaches had not coached this group prior to
the season. They were raw and sloppy, but coming into this season, the players
are much more familiar with each other's strengths and weaknesses. Nevertheless,
there is a lot of work to be done. Hot perimeter shooting was non-existent and
the team must improve upon its porous defense.

As rough as last season may
have been, the sky isn't exactly falling in Chicago. Dupree will be a year older,
wiser and better. Ngoyisa will continue to develop as a post presence and improve
her play. The Sky also signed free agent guard Dominique Canty in the offseason,
which should provide more of that veteran leadership that they were lacking. Last
season, Canty averaged 10.9 ppg in an injury-shortened campaign, but is healthy
again and will be another scoring option for the Chicago squad. Where else will
they score? What additional perimeters players will help stretch the defense?
Is this team capable of running?

And how will new head coach Bo Overton fare in his first season at the helm
of a WNBA team? Last year's coach, Dave Cowens, resigned from his duties as
General Manager and coach during the offseason, moving to an assistant coaching
position with the Detroit Pistons. Like Cowens, Overton has years of experience
in the sport but has never coached a WNBA team. He has been very successful
on the collegiate level and has already worked with the Sky's Stacey Dales during
her time at the University of Oklahoma. Only time will tell if his coaching
style can cross over into the pros.

The Sky also sent defensive specialist Chelsea Newton, a franchise original
obtained in the Expansion Draft, back to Sacramento in exchange for the Monarchs
first round pick (No. 10). That gives the Sky to first round picks and an extra
shot at bolstering the roster.

No matter how they come
out of the gate, this is a team that should not be underestimated. The team will
continue to build and grow with the tough youngsters and veterans like Wyckoff,
Dales and Canty. Although they probably won't be competing for a playoff spot
at the end of the season, this team is certainly on the right track and looking
forward to a bright future.